Quality Update Spring 2012

Stratis Health publishes the Quality Update Newsletter twice a year. The electronic publication is an update on health care quality topics and issues for Minnesota's health care leaders. In this publication we aim to provide Minnesota thought leaders with news, issues, and perspectives on health care quality and patient safety.

Complete issue (8-page PDF)

This Issue

Making National Priorities Local

Understanding how important local implementation of national health care quality priorities is to achieving sustainable improvement. From Jennifer P. Lundblad, Stratis Health President and CEO.

Community Paramedics: Here, There (and soon) Everywhere

Community paramedicine supports the use of existing health care providers under their existing scope of practice to use their skill set in nontraditional roles. Perspective from Stratis Health Board of Directors member Gary Wingrove, who represents Gold Cross/Mayo Clinic Transport out of Rochester, Minnesota.

Medication Therapy Management

Efforts are increasing nationally to provide medication therapy management (MTM) in caring for high-risk, high-cost, complex patients. And, pharmacists play a growing role in quality care.

Improving Care Transitions - 1,915 readmissions avoided

The 80 Minnesota hospitals participating in the RARE Campaign have shown a reduction of 1,915 readmissions—representing patients sleeping 7,660 more nights in their own beds.

Progress Toward EHR Meaningful Use - nearly 4,750 clinicians served

Minnesota and North Dakota providers are directly benefitting from REACH services, including 4,749 clinicians and 104 critical access and rural hospitals. REACH is looking ahead to Stage 2 meaningful use, while addressing providers' current challenges.

Report Summarizes Medicare Data for Minnesota

The Stratis Health Profile of Medicare in Minnesota gathers in one place information and resources about the Medicare program in the state

Looking at the numbers: Race and Age of Minnesota Medicare Beneficiaries

Although the majority of Medicare beneficiaries in Minnesota are White, the number of beneficiaries representing racial and ethnic minorities in Minnesota is increasing.

Building Healthier Communities Awards

Stratis Health provided grant support for four projects through its Building Healthier Communities award, announced in March in conjunction with National Patient Safety Week.

Stratis Health News

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